As she cut it she wondered uneasily what had brought the duke to the King's Bench Walk. If there was one person in the world with regard to whom she did not enjoy a clear conscience, it was the duke.
Had he come for the reason:
(1) That she had helped the duchess in the original evasion of his daughter?
(2) That she had spent a fortnight at Ricksborough Court as his daughter?
(3) Or had he discovered that she had helped the duchess in the second evasion of Lady Marion?
(4) Had Mr. Wilkinson revealed how she had tricked him and the detective?
Truly there were reasons why she should be afflicted by an uneasy conscience with regard to the duke. It was no wonder that his gloomy stare had made her uncomfortable. She tried to reassure herself by the consideration that if he had discovered anything, he would surely have been far grumpier with her; he would never have confined himself to a gloomy stare.
She had just finished cutting the bread and butter when the latchkey of the Honourable John Ruffin grated in the keyhole.
She stepped to the kitchen door; and as he entered she said:
"Please, sir, the duke's here."